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Poppers

Bottles of poppers
Aka: Amyls, Kix, Liquid Gold, Ram, Rock hard, Thrust, TNT.

The Drug

The Effects

The Risks

The Law

The Drug
Overview Appearance Use
Overview

What are poppers?

Poppers are usually found in the form of a liquid chemical (a nitrite) sold in a small bottle. Commonly, the chemical is alkyl nitrite. Other nitrites like amyl nitrite (and butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite) have also used been used. Nitrites dilate the blood vessels and allow more blood to get to the heart.

The key effects of poppers can include:

  • A short, sharp head-rush like high.
  • Enhanced sexual experiences.
  • Chemical burns to body tissues – with the development of a rash around the nose and mouth, and/or irritation of the nose and throat.
  • Feelings of sickness, faintness and weakness.
  • Death – if swallowed; or if used by individuals with heart problems.
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Appearance

What do poppers look like?

Poppers are a liquid chemical, nitrites, sold in small bottles with brand names like Ram, Thrust and Rock Hard.

In the past when nitrites were used to treat angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart) they came as small glass capsules that were popped open and sniffed, hence the name poppers.

Poppers are normally sold as room aromas or deodorisers in sex shops, some clubs, market stalls and online. Prices can vary from region to region, but an average cost is £2 - £5 per bottle.

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Use

How are poppers used?

Poppers are usually sniffed from the bottle. Some people prefer to dip a cigarette into the popper bottle and inhale rather than sniff straight from the bottle.

One sniff (or inhale) and you can feel the effects. The effects don't last long and fade after a couple of minutes.

It is important to be careful as poppers are highly flammable – with stories of people mistakenly lighting cigarettes that have been dipped in poppers and burning off their eyebrows and burning themselves or others.

The Effects

What are the effects of poppers?

Poppers (nitrites) have a range of effects:

  • They give a head-rush high that lasts a couple of minutes.
  • They have been reported to have short-lived effects on sexual experience, specifically that they may make an orgasm feel like it lasts longer; may make an erection feel stronger (although some men have trouble getting an erection after sniffing poppers); and may make it easier for some people to have anal sex by helping to relax anal sphincter muscles.
  • They can leave some people feeling sick or faint with poor co-ordination.
The Risks
What are the risks? Impurities Getting hooked
What are the risks?

What are the risks?

Taking poppers is potentially dangerous for anyone with heart problems, anaemia or glaucoma (an eye disease).

Here’s what poppers can do to you.

  • They can cause your blood pressure to drop to a dangerous level. So, you shouldn’t take them if you have problems with your blood pressure, are on any blood pressure medication, or if you are taking Viagra.
  • You can die due to injury to red blood cells and reduced oxygen supply to vital organs.
  • You may lose consciousness and could die through choking on your vomit. Using poppers with alcohol can increase this risk.
  • Poppers are linked with risky sexual behaviour and may lead to catching a sexually transmitted disease.
  • They can burn your skin on contact and can kill you if you swallow them.
  • They're highly flammable.
  • They can cause nausea, headache, and disorientation.
  • Fatal ‘sudden sniffing death syndrome’ has been reported due to development of an abnormal heart rhythm when taking poppers.
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Impurities

Purity is not usually an issue with poppers.

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Getting hooked

Can you get addicted to poppers?

No. Poppers aren't physically or psychologically addictive.

The Law

Poppers and the law

  • Poppers are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but there’ve been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shops for selling poppers.
  • Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence.

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